Seat and berth construction



March 13, 1951 Filed Dec. 28, 1946 W. R. BROWN SEAT AND BERTH CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

William RBmwn 444070124 9 His fli'lorneys March 13, 1951 w. R. BROWN 2,544,980

SEAT AND BERTH CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 28, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 13, 1951 w. R. BROWN 2,544,930

SEAT AND BERTH CONSTRUCTION Filed Deg. 28, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR'. WILLIAM R BROWN l-HS ATTORNEYS.

March 13, 1951 w. R. BROWN 2,544,930

SEAT AND BERTH CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 28, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4h as 5,1 41

WW mmmumm|mi m INVENTOR: WILLIAM R. BROWN H5 ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,544,980 SEAT AND BERTH ooiss'rnnorron r William R. Brown, Cleveland, Ohio Application December 28, i943, .SerialNo. 718,984

4 Claims. 1

I This invention is an improvement in converti-' ble seats and beds and relates more particularly to a readily convertible type seat and bed for sleeping cars or other vehicles where seating, sleeping and baggage space must be utilized efficiently.

This invention makes possible the utilization of space so eiiectively that the so called section of the center aisle type of sleeping cars can be made to provide for three berths and still provide for ample space and facilities for baggage, light luggage, clothing, etc.

, vIt is one of the objects of this invention to provide a convertible seat and bed construction which is characterized by its ease of operation and sturdy construction. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide means of this type in which the operating mechanism is ordinarily concealed from view and isso located and arranged that it will operate in substantially a vertical plane immediately inside the end portion of the seat and thereby requires little space for its manipulation;

Another advantage of the invention is that the seatportion, provided as it is with releasable latching means within the seat cooperating with fixed members, can be maintained in a plurality of seating positions and as further provided with other means it may be reversed and adjusted to become a part of the mattress and be maintained jinfthat position, and also that the seat portion,

the back rest and other-component parts are of simple design and construction and can easily be changed from seatingto -sleeping accommodations, or vice-versa, very quickly and with minimum noise.

' ,A still further object consists in providing-a seat having a seat ciishionfa back rest and a head rest in which the head rest is pivotally rnounted for adjustment whereby the same may ters.

Another special feature is the adaptability of this invention in that 1, 2 or 3-berths to a section may be in use at a given time and with berth space is available for seating accommodations, g

' Another advantage gained by the adaptability of this invention is that the occupant of the lower berth can easily change the facilities from sleeping to seating position suiiiciently to permit dressing with ease and comfort. I

Other objects and advantages of my invention willbecome more apparent vasthe following description of an embodiment thereofv progresses,

r er b ma eto th accompa yin draw-r car section showing my invention applied in use and the parts thereof arranged in seating position,

Figure 2 is a view similar tothat shown in Figure 1 showing the section arranged for multiple sleeping accommodations and showing the invention applied in the lower berth thereof. The convertible seat and bed is illustrated in full lines in position for sleeping accommodations and inbroken lines when converted for-seating accommodations.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the in- .vention showing the convertible seat and bed arranged in seating position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3,

but shows the-parts. arrangedin sleeping posi- .tion.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of the back and. head rest members showing the latter in head rest position in full lines and illustratin sufficient space and facilities for baggage, luggage and clothing either day or night.

Still another special feature of this invention is that either or both upper berths may be in use as sleeping accommodations while the lower as frame in Figure 8.

inbroken lines. the position of the same wh n adjusted constituting a baggage rack- Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line 66 of Figure4.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the movable seat member with the covering material removed illustrating the frame, spring and latch construction and arrangement.

a Figure 8 is a longitudinal section taken on line 8-3 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of one of the latch members carried in the seat frame as illustrated in the left hand end of Figure&

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of the latch mechanism looking at Figure 9 from the right.

Figure 11 is an enlarged detailview of the latch means as shown in the opposite end of the seat Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view of the latch operating means, and

Figure 13 is an enlarged view taken on line I 3--l 3 of Figure 7.

Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing illustrate an application of my invention to a sleeping car section having a lower and one or more upper berths, although it is obvious that the invention may be applied to other types of vehicles in which convertible seating and sleeping arrangements are desired.

Figures 3 to 6 inclusive illustrate in more detail an embodiment of the present invention and particularly the means by which the seat and back rest members may be positioned for seating accommodations or by. which they may be rotated and extended to provide a mattress for sleeping accommodations. In a sleeping car section, the adjacent seats are usually arranged facing each other, the seat cushions being slidable toward each other and the back rests being moved to the planes of the seat cushions to form with them a horizontal mattress support. In my invention the back rest and seat members are positioned as shown in Figure 2 in full lines and as shown in Figure 4 they will form a substantially continuous mattress to be used for sleeping accommodations, the seat cushions being moved in a rotary clockwise motion to reversed position and the back rests being rotated forwardly to lie in the plane of the reversed seat cushions.

In Figures 7 to 13 inclusive I have illustrated in greater detail the seat cushion construction together with a self contained releasable latching means whereby the seat portion. when in the position shown in Figure 3, may releasably be secured to a plate 3! carried by the berth frame and the car side wall.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1. w

and 3 to 6 inclusive, in which I have illustrated an embodiment of my convertible seat and bed arrangement and the means for converting the same, the back rest I is pivotally mounted at 2 on a bracket 3 secured to an end wall 4 of the berth section, there being brackets 3 located at each side of the back rest. A spacing member 5 is also carried by the wall 4 and projects in- Y wardly of the section to be engaged by the upper portion of the back rest I. as shown in Figure 3, so as to provide a support for the back rest in its inclined position.

A head rest 6 which is adjustable to a horizontal position as shown in Figure 5 by the broken lines to permit the same to be used as a shelf or baggage support, is provided at opposite ends I with headed pins 1 projecting into and having slidable engagement in L-shaped slots 8 formed in the brackets 9 mounted on the end wall 4 of the berth section. The head rest 5 is also capable of adjustment to a substantially vertical position as shown by the broken lines in Figure 5. In such position the headed pins 1 will be moved to the dotted line position in the slot 8 as shown in this figure by lifting the head rest so it being the specific purpose at the present time to describe this member as to its relation with the back rest and with the mechanism for moving the seat to and from any one of its several positions. The seat cushions are provided at opposite ends with a pin Hi to which is pivotally connected a link I! of substantially L-shape, the opposite end of the link I! being pivotally attached at l8 to a member 25.

A cooperating link 2!} of substantially U-shape is pivotally connected at one end by means of a pin 2| with the link ll, this end of the link 20 being forked as indicated in Figure 6 to receive that portion of the link I! to which it is connected. The opposite end of the cooperating link 28 is likewise forked and is provided with a guide pin 22 projecting through an elongated slot 24 formed lengthwise in the member 25 which is pivotally mounted at one end, as at 26, to a support 2'! carried by the end wall of the berth section.

A supporting or angle iron rail 28 is fixed in a horizontal position to the frame member !9. The

fiat horizontal portion of the supporting rail 29 extends inwardly of the berth section sufficiently to be in the path of movement of the seat cushion 15 so as to support a plate 39 on each end of the same as shown in Figure 8 when the seat member is at its converted position as in Figure 4, that is, to serve as a mattress portion for the bed and when in lower seating position and also when the seat is being changed from seat to mattress position or from mattress to seat position. Likewise the end plates of the back rest, when the same is in horizontal position, will lie along the horizontal wall 29 of the rail 28 and will be supported thereby in alignment with the seat portion l5 as shown in Figure 4.

Inorder that the seat l5 may be supported in higher seating position as in Figure 3, there is provided a supporting plate 3! which is fixed to the berth frame I9 as shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 2. Each plate 3! is provided with an upper notch or opening 32 and a lower notch or opening 33 both of which have flat lower walls 34 for supporting the latch bars 35 and 36 when the same are projected into one or the other of the openings.

As will be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the upper opening 32 will support the seat l5 in its upwardly adjusted horizontal position whereas the lower opening 33, when engaged by the latch bars 35 and 36, will support the seat 15 in its lowermost adjusted position, when the member I 5 is used as a seat. Of course, in the lowermost position the member l5 will have been shifted rearwardly and downwardly to the extent that the respective latches 35 and 36 will engage the lower and more rearward notches 33.

The upper portion of the seat as indicated in Figure 3 is the normal seating position during the day when the upper berth is closed. However, should it be desired to make up the upper berth and still utilize the lower berth as a seating compartment, the seat may be adjusted to its lowermost position as above described. In this inanner there is provided adequate head room in the lower berth when used as a seat and when the upper berth is to be occupied as a bed.

As is illustrated in the drawings and particularly in Figures 3 and 4, when the seat member 15 is to be converted to a mattress section, the latches 35 and 36 are released or withdrawn into the body of the member l5 by means which will be described presently and the seat member H) is then rotated about an axis identified by the pins 16 in aclockwise direction by simultaneously liftingthe rear end of the member and pulling the same upwardly andforwardly to the right whereby the link ll will be swung about its axis 18 to the right. In this manner the member 15 is rotated approximately 180, the link assuming a horizontal position as shown in Figure l and lying along the lower edge of member l5. As the link I! is so moved, the cooperating link Ell pivoted at one end to the link H as at M will also be rotated in a clockwise direction to assume the position shown in Figure 4 and come to rest on the upper edge of links ll and 25 thus holding them in horizontal position. As a result of this action the cooperating link 20 will be drawn to the right, the pin 22 sliding along the slot 24.

The under edges of the pivotally connected ends of thelinks I! and 25 are supported on the horizontal surface 2a or supporting rail 28 as shown in Figure 6.

Reference now more particularly to Figures '7 to 13 inclusivel have shown in greater detail the construction of the s'eat member i5 together with a mechanism for actuating the latches and 3S.

The seat i5 and the back rest i are similarly constructed with the exception that the latch mechanism is omitted in the back rest. Each of the members i and 15 includes a peripheral rigid frame comprising end members 3'! and side meml .bers38, the end members 3'! of the seat l5 hav- .striiction, I provide a plurality of tie rods ll anchored in the frame side members and running laterally of the frame in spaced relation to each other. These rods are spaced apart to accommodate a row of coil springs 42 between adjacent rods. In order that the springs may be supported in upright spaced position in the frame without impairing their flexibility, and to provide the greatest seating and reclining comfort in the seat and backrest, adjacent springs in adjacent rows are flexibly tied together at their top and bottom convolutions by means of spiders 43 having curved claws 4s positioned to engage and grip these convolutions. The spiders are movably carried by the headed fixtures'llfi connected by a chain or other flexible member 46. Each of the chains is threaded at an intermediate point 41 on one of the tie rods d! as shown in Figure 13, the tie rods 4i serving as the sole support for the springs and the load which may be impressed thereupon.

At the periphery of the frame 3'!" 38 there is provided means for maintaining the collective body of springs in proper position within the confines of the frame. This means includes upper and lower frames 48 and 49 preferably formed of rod or heavy iron stock to afford some degree of strength and shapeliness to the cushion and also to provide a peripheral support for a with respect to the plate 3| when the cushion is This to be supported in a seating position.

tending ortion of each latchbeing downwardly tapered or beveled to provide a tongue which may be projected into the openings 40 formed inthe end plates 31 and suiliciently therethroughto engage and enter either of the selected openings 32 or 33 of the plate 3i, depending upon the adjustment desired. Each of the latches is normaliy projected outwardly of the member 15 by means of a loop; spring '53 whichis carriedby the pivot pins 52 and which engages the vertical arm of the latch under tension tothrust it to the full line position as inFigures 9 and 11.

a In order that the latches 35 and 36 may be withdrawn to the-broken line position in Figure 9 whereby the latch is disengaged from the walls or the openings 32 or 33,'the latch" member 35,

is provided with a boss 54 in which is pivotally.

carried a link 55 the opposite end of the link having an adjustable connection as at 56 with the operating rod 57 while the latch 38 may be withdrawn by means of the link 58 having con-* nection through an adjustable coupling'fra with the rod 60. When the rods 5'! and 60 are drawn inwardly of the member IS in opposite direction, such motion is transmitted to withdraw the re spective latches 35 and-36 to a position within the frame. Means for actuating the rods 5! and 60 in either direction may consist of a shaft 6| mounted transversely of the member 15 at a point substantially mid-way or its ends for ro 3 tation in either direction there being provided hubs 62 and B3 fixed to the shaftSI, and cir cumferentially grooved as at 64. As shown in Figure 8 the inner ends of the rods=5l and 60 are formed with angularly disposed portions 65 which at their terminal ends are pivo'tally con nected with the hubs as at 66. The forward end of the shaft 6| terminates outwardly of the membe! [5 in a pivoted handle Blwhereby the shaft may be turned in either direction. It: will beseen that by grasping the handle 67 and'rotatlng the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction the operating rods 5l and Gil will be shifted past a dead center position with respect to the hub axis 6|,

to thebroken line positions shown in Figure 12, the hub being capable of rotation through'an arc of slightly-more than whereby the respectlvehorizontal end portions or the rods 51 and 60 will lie inthe circumferential groove 64 of the hub. In such position the rods 51 andBO and consequently the latches 35 and 36 will be locked in open latch position. The motion thus transmitted to the rods 5'! and 60 results in a withdrawal of respective latches 35 and 36 from theiropenings'sfl and, of course, from the selected openings 32 or 33 of the plate 3!. As the latches are thus Withdrawn, the springs 53 are placed under greater tension and when the handle 61 is turned sufliciently in an opposite direction to return the rod ends past their dead center position, the tension of the springs 53 is suflicient to return t'he'iatcrles s5 and se tothe full line positions shown, or, if the springs 53' should fan,

then the latches maybe projected outwardly of the openings M1 by manually rotating the members 62 and 53 in a clockwise direction;

g It will be seen that, by means of m invention, the-space within the confines of the section side walls and the fioor and ceiling may be utilized with the greatest efficiency. It has beencus tomary to provide such -sections with a con:-

7. vertible seat and bed constituting a lower berth; and with a hinged upper berth, but by the eflicient use of the same section space in the application in my invention, a third or intermediate berth may be provided as illustrated in Figure 2 with adequate room for access to and movement within any berth of the section, and still provide space for storage of baggage, clothing or other articles.

For instance, when the intermediate berth is down and ready for occupancy and it is desired to use the lower portion of the section for seating, the seat cushion l may be lowered by turning the handle 61 to withdraw the latches from the upper latch openings 32 and manuallv lowering the seat cushion until the latches 35 and 36 are in position to enter the lowermost latch openings 33 in the plates 3| at each side of the seat. Under such conditions, the cushion will be lowered by several inches to provide additional head room,

In the operation of the invention, assuming the seat and back cushions are in the position shown in Figure 1, that is, when the latches 35 and 35 are engaging either the openings 32 or 33, the cushions will be in seating position.

When it is desired to utilize this space as a sleeping compartment, the handle 51 is rotated to withdraw the latches 35 and 35 from the latch openings 32 or 33, with which they are in engagement, and the seat cushion I5 is rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in brokenlines in Figure 3. While so rotating the cushion the same is lifted so that its rear edge is lifted and rotated clockwise on its axis l e. As the cushion is further rotated to a reversed horizontal position as in Figure 4, the link 20 will be drawn to the right along the slotted member 25 and one end of the plates 39 of the cushion will come to rest upon and be supported by the horizontal portion 28 of the rails 28 as shown in Figure 6. In this position link II, which is held in horizontal position and in the plane of arm 25 by link 2!! which prevents outward movement beyond that position, serves as a supporting member for the cushion, particularly that portion which projects outwardly and beyond the end of the rail 28. The back rest I may then be rotated in a clockwise direction about its axis 2 to assume the position shown in Figure 4, that is, to lie reversed in substantially the same plane as the reversed seat cushion and in alignment therewith with its end plates resting on the horizontal portion 29 of rails 28, forming with the seat cushion a continuous mattress or bed, it being understood that the opposing seat and back rest in the section are adjusted to like positions to provide a full length mattress or bed. The ends of the springs 42 on the reverse or bed side of the seat and back rest cushions can be terminated short by shortening the chains 46 from the tie rods 4| to the spiders 43, to thereby provide sufficient space within the confines of the frame for receiving a layer of rubber foam or the like for added bed comfort.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim: 7

l. A convertible seat and bed construction for vehicles comprising vehicle sections having cpposed end walls, opposed frame members extending inwardly of said end walls, a back rest cushion pivotally mounted on each end wall, a supporting member carried by each of said frame members, an arm pivotally carried at one end on each of said end walls and adapted to engage and rest upon one of said supporting members, a seat cushion adjacent each of said back rests, and means connecting said respective seat cushions with said respective arms whereby said cushions may be reversed and brought into aligned substantially abutting relation and supported on said respective supporting members, said back rest cushions being movable about their respective axes to a position in aligned substantially abutting relation with the respective reversed seat cushions whereby to convert the same into a sleeping bed or mattress between said end walls.

2. A convertible seat and bed construction for vehicles comprising vehicle sections having opposed end walls, opposed frame members extending inwardly of said end walls, a back rest cushion pivotally mounted on each end wall, a supporting member carried by each of said frame members, an arm pivotally carried at one end on each of said end walls and adapted to engage and rest upon one of said supporting members, a seat cushion adjacent each of said back rests, and means connecting said respective seat cushions with said respective arms whereby said cushions may be reversed and brought into aligned substantially abutting relation and supported on said respective supporting members, said back rest cushions being movable about their respective axes to a position in aligned substantially abutting relation with the respective reversed seat cushions whereby to convert the same into a sleeping bed or mattress between said end walls, said connecting means comprising a pair of links pivotally connected together, one link having pivotal connection with said seat cushion and with said arm, said other link having one end pivotally connected to said arm and slidable therealong when said seat cushion is reversed from its seating position.

3. A convertible seat and bed construction for vehicles comprising vehicle sections having opposed end walls, opposed frame members extendin inwardly of said end walls, a back rest cushion pivotally mounted on each end wall, a sup porting member carried by each of said frame members, an arm pivotally carried at one end on each of said end walls and adapted to engage and rest upon one of said supporting members. a seat cushion adjacent each of said back rests, a

spring pressed latch member carried by and projecting from each of said seat cushions, a plate on each frame member having a plurality of openings arranged at different seating levels to receive said latch, and means within said seat cushions for releasing said latch from said openings, and means connecting said respective seat cushions with said respective arms whereby said cushions may be reversed and brought into aligned substantially abutting relation and supported on said respective supporting members, said back rest cushions being movable about their respective axes to a position in aligned substantially abutting relation with the respective reversed seat cushions whereby to convert the same into a sleeping bed or mattress between said end Walls.

4. A convertible seat and bed construction for vehicles comprising vehicle sections having opposed end walls, opposed frame members extending inwardly of said end walls, a back rest cushion pivotally mounted on' each end wall, a supporting member carried by each of said frame members, an arm pivotally carried at one end on each of said end walls and adapted to engage and rest upon one of said supporting members, a seat cushion adjacent each otfsaid back rests, and means connecting said respective seat cushions with said respective arms whereby said cushions may bereversed and brought'into aligned substantially abutting relation and supported on said respective supporting members, said back rest cushions being movable about their respective axes to a position in aligned substantially abutting relation with the respective reversed seat cushions whereby to convert the same into a sleeping bed' or mattress between said end walls,

said connecting means comprising a pair of links I pivotally connected together, one link having pivotal connection with said seat cushion and with said arm, said other link having fone, end pivotally the respective seat cushions are in reqigi sed or bed forming position.

WILLIAM n g anown.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

